my son is 8 months old. i've been carrying him to sleep, about 3 weeks ago i started letting him lie on the bed while i pat him to sleep, it's getting successful and i'm quite delighted.

however, 2 weeks ago it hasn't been easy to make him sleep anymore despite me carrying him. once i spot the sign of tiredness, i would quickly carry him to the room (like i normally do) and pat him to sleep. but the moment i close the door, he screams and looks at the door, he wants to go out and continue playing. after trying to make him sleep for few mins but to no avail, i'll bring him out of the room. he'll be quiet for a while, continue playing, but few mins later he'll make a fuss again. i believe he is tired, but he just doesn't want to sleep. and after playing for longer period, he's overtired and it's even harder to comfort him. in the end i resort to giving him milk, and he sleeps while drinking.

like what happened today, 7pm i tried making him sleep, but he was crying. so i let him out. he was ok until 7.40pm, i gave him milk, he was rubbing eyes so i thought he would sleep after finishing the milk, but he didn't. so i continue with the bedtime routine to read him story. after a kiss and hug, i tried making him sleep, he screamed and cried, looking at the door. after trying for a while, i switched on the light, let him play in the room. he played for a while, and started screaming again. he cried for almost 1 hr, 9pm i had no choice but gave him another bottle. he slept after the milk.

i can't be giving him bottle everytime he fights for sleep!!! what should i do??? it's getting difficult to make him sleep nowadays compared to 2 weeks ago, which he would almost rest on my shoulder once i carried him. i want that back.

i feel so bad as he looks so pitiful when he falls asleep while drinking milk. i don't know what to do.